- IIT Madras has opened registrations for an intensive entrepreneurship programme aimed at supporting innovators in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- The five-day residential programme will take place from August 10 to 14, 2026 with applications closing on July 27.
- The startup judged to have the strongest potential will receive ₹4 lakh in seed support to advance its idea.
- The programme will be mentored by Lakshmi Shankar, General Partner at Together Fund and former Vice President of Google Search.
- The winning startup pitch will receive a grant of ₹4 lakh.
- The IIT Madras AI Startup Programme 2026 is open to aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and early-stage startup founders, with the last date to apply being 27 July 2026.
- The intensive one-week residential programme will be conducted on the IIT Madras campus.
- One of the biggest attractions of the programme is its Pitch Day, where participants will present their AI startup ideas before a panel of experts and industry leaders.
- The best-performing team will receive a grant of ₹4 lakh to support the further development of their startup concept.
IIT Madras is inviting applications for its AI Startup Programme 2026, a five-day bootcamp designed to foster innovation in artificial intelligence. The programme will run from August 10 to 14, 2026, with applications closing on July 27, 2026.12
This intensive one-week residential programme is open to a diverse group including final-year B.Tech and M.Tech students, PhD scholars, faculty members, researchers, engineers, product managers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and founders of early-stage AI startups. Participants will have the opportunity to present their ideas during a Pitch Day, where the best startup will be awarded a grant of ₹4 lakh to support further development.35789
Mentorship will be provided by industry experts, including Lakshmi Shankar, General Partner at Together Fund and former Vice President of Google Search. This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of AI entrepreneurs and enhance the startup ecosystem in India.4
The programme not only offers financial support but also invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders, making it a significant platform for aspiring innovators in the AI sector.
“The five-day residential programme will support aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, and students, with applications closing on July 27, 2026. Mentored by Lakshmi Shankar of Together Fund, the programme features a Pitch Day where participants can showcase their AI startup ideas to industry experts.”
Elets Technomedia
